Norway tours & travel

This Scandinavian land of great glaciers, isolated islands, dramatic fjords and multi-hued houses looks stunning all year round - blanketed in snow, drenched in sun or under the glint of the dazzling Aurora Borealis.

From hiking over alpine meadows in the spring time, through hitting the slopes in winter to kicking back on lakes during summer, Norway may not be the cheapest travel destination, but is well worth the investment.

Best time to visit Norway

Best time to visit Norway

Because of the Gulf Stream, the climate in Norway is noticeably warmer than what would otherwise be expected at such high latitude. Summers can be moderately warm (up to 30 degrees Celsius), even in northern areas, but only for limited periods. The length of the winter and amount of snow varies around the country. In the north there is more snow and winters are dark; on the southern and western coasts, winters are moderate and rainy, while further inland the temperature can get below -25 degrees Celsius. March, April, October and November tend to be the rainiest months. Snow usually starts to fall in October/November in the northern areas (and in higher altitudes) and generally melts by the end of April. The Northern Lights are visible from parts of Norway, with September to April usually presenting the optimal conditions for viewing.

Geography and environment

Geography and environment

Sharing borders with Sweden, Russia and Finland, Norway occupies the northern corner of the Scandinavian Peninsula, with the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea providing coastline on the rugged northern, southern and western sides of the country. Possessing more than 50,000 islands, majestic mountain ranges, pristine fjords, glacial lakes and dramatic waterfalls, Norway has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. On the flipside, Norway is also home to vibrant, modern cities and charming rural towns, with most of the population living in the more hospitable south of the country.

Must-Visit Museums of Oslo

Must-Visit Museums of Oslo

Top 5 Must-Visit Museums of Oslo

1. Munch Museum

Oslo's comprehensive museum dedicated to the stirringly dark works of Edvard Munch is well worth a visit. Norway's best known artist is given the royal treatment with no less than 1,200 of his paintings and 18,000 of his prints displayed here.

2. Nobel Peace Centre

A museum dedicated to the promotion of world peace can only be a good thing. Home to photography exhibitions, informative lectures and interactive galleries dedicated to Peace Prize Laureates, this place takes the concept of peace and gives it a high tech makeover.

3. Holmenkollen Ski Museum

Found at the base of Oslo's iconic ski jump, the world's oldest ski museum showcases the 4000-year-old history of the sport. Who knew people had been skiing that long? Take the elevator to the top of the tower for supreme views of the city.

4. Vikingshipshuset

This museum dedicated to the preservation of Viking ships and artefacts features an astonishing array of intact ships, utensils and tools. Showcasing classic Viking design and decoration, it's astounding to think many of these boats were built in the 9th century.

5. Norwegian Folk Museum

Home to the world's oldest open air museum, this celebration of Norway's culture, history and customs is a one-stop shop for everything 'Norway'. From wonderful examples of folk dress, Sami artefacts and art, to rare musical instruments and toys, photography and prints from the 1800s, you could easily spend a whole day here.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously, and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

Handy links

Handy links

Norway travel FAQs

Tipping is done on a voluntary basis in Norway and is generally left up to the discretion of the customer. If the service in a cafe or restaurant is good, feel free to leave spare change or round up the bill.

Travellers should be able to access the internet at cyber cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots in Norway's major cities and towns. Remote and rural areas will have less internet availability, so be prepared for this when travelling out of the city.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

Responsible Travel

Intrepid is committed to travelling in a way that is respectful of local people, their culture, local economies and the environment. It's important to remember that what may be acceptable behaviour, dress and language in your own country, may not be appropriate in another. Please keep this in mind while travelling.

Top responsible travel tips for Norway

1. Be considerate of Norway’s customs, traditions, religion and culture.

2. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with tap or filtered water.

3. Always dispose of litter thoughtfully, including cigarette butts.

4. Learn some local language and don't be afraid to use it - simple greetings will help break the ice.